Category: Faith & Culture
Discussing the controversy at Ground Zero
This week during our weekly podcast, our Senior Pastor Mike Ramsdell and I discuss the recent controversy regarding the proposed introduction of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero. I first posted about this issue last week in response to a question posed to me following one of our weekend worship services.
You can listen to this week’s podcast by clicking the play button below.
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*During this program, I make reference to some feedback I received from a psychiatrist in our congregation regarding the trauma associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Tomorrow, I have asked that member, Pat Rabjohn, MD, Ph.D, to share a guest post related to the issue of how survivors and others affected by 9/11 might respond to this issue.
Category: Faith & Culture, Podcasts, Teaching
Controversy at Ground Zero
Mike and I have been receiving questions this week in preparation for our new series that kicks of this weekend. We’ll be spending the next three weekends talking about the mission of our church and we’ve invited people to share any questions that they might have about what it means to love God, love others and serve the world. Sunday morning, I received a question that I thought I would try to address in this format. The question was something like this.
How should we as Christians respond to the current debate regarding the proposed Mosque at the World Trade Center?
I had to confess at the time that I had not been following closely the developments of this story. Since returning from vacation last week I had done a minimal amount of reading to catch up, and since receiving that question on Sunday, I have continued to do so.
One of the articles that I came across was from Relevant Magazine. Relevant is a great resource which you can find online or via subscription which is geared towards Christians in their 20′s ad 30′s seeking to live out their faith within today’s culture. The article that caught my attention was titled, “Controversy at Ground Zero,” written by Brent Parrish.
You can find the entire article here and I would encourage you to read it. [See below for two other articles I would commend to you.]
There were several things from the article that I found helpful in understanding this debate more clearly.
Brett believes that the lack of factual information being shared by major media outlets is a big component of what is driving this debate.
This key point is part of what I appreciated so much about Brett’s article. I first heard about this proposal from CNN & FOX News when I was running at the treadmill at the gym. Rather than detailing the proposal, both networks were reporting the story in the same way. They had two “talking heads” arguing with each other about whether the plan was a “desecration” of the Ground Zero site. I am personally disappointed to find more and more time spent on these 24 hour news networks dedicated to these types of arguments rather than raising the public’s awareness of the facts regarding current events.
Brett writes, “Very little new information has entered the debate besides the generic rhetoric of protestors and supporters. But would the public opinion be changed if the facts surrounding the “Ground Zero Mosque” were presented more clearly, or even at all?”
I think he is posing an important question.
Here are a few of those facts that Brett shared. [I might add this disclaimer. These are the facts as Brett understands them.]
- The original name of this proposal was the Cordoba project. Brett writes, “The name, Cordoba House, references Cordoba, Spain, where during the 10th and 11th centuries the Muslim Caliphate served as an epicenter of interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.”
- Rather than simply serving as a mosque, the proposal calls for a full service community center that has been modeled after a similar Jewish community center in Manhattan. Brett compares the project to the facilities you might find at a YMCA.
- The financier and leader of the Cordoba house project is a man named Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf who has also authored the book, What’s Right with Islam is What’s Right with America. He is considered to be a leader in what we might refer to as “moderate” Islam. He has publicly condemned acts of terrorism and the Jihadist movement that has led to attacks like 9/11. Brett adds this, “Imam Rauf is a leading scholar in a branch of Islam known as Sufism, which is particularly controversial among Muslims.This sect of the religion of 1.2 billion people is often described as the mystical side, focusing on the inner orientation to peaceful worship of Allah.”
- Brett argues that rather than this being seen as an “Islamic Invasion” of this area of New York, it is a community center that was designed to provide services for the large population of Muslims who already live in the area. I would point you to the full article to hear the information he shares about the area.
Brett ends the article in this way.
More specifically, what does this debate mean for Christians who are called to serve as salt and light to the world? Though we must not diminish the reality of the threats of radical extremism to this nation, as Christians, we must retain our integrity and faith in God’s providence. The true test of our faith rarely comes in times of peace or tranquility, but rather in moments of adversity. Just as the early church wrestled for their freedom of religion against Roman persecutions, so we face the same struggle today. Faithful Christians must always find ways to express the love Christ called us to, even (and maybe especially) toward our Muslim-American neighbors.
Next week, I’m going to share a series of posts that will hopefully respond to the question, how should Christians respond to the current “hot topics” and other debates like the Ground Zero Mosque? At the end of that series, I’ll share some of my thoughts regarding this proposal.
In the meantime, I hope this article enhances your understanding and that you will share with me any resources/articles which have helped you in your own wrestling with this issue.
Here are a few other articles I’ve found to be helpful.
A Christian’s Response to Ground Zero
This article was written by Sarah Cunningham who recruited 45 friends following the attack on the World Trade Center and traveled from Michigan to help with the disaster relief. She is the author of the book, Picking Dandelions: A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds.
Sacrilege at Ground Zero
A Washington Post article written by Charles Krauthammer. Charles basically argues that location matters and while Muslims should be allowed to build a Mosque in New York City that this location is simply too close to what he describes as “hallowed ground.”
Category: Faith & Culture
Pray for our Rwanda Team
This morning our Senior Pastor, Mike Ramsdell, and a small team of members from our church is heading to Rwanda for a 10 day mission trip. While in Rwanda, Mike will be dedicating a newly constructed school that was built through the generous gifts of members of our church as well as getting a first hand glimpse at one of the programs led by ZOE Ministry called Giving Hope.
Giving Hope is an empowerment program where staff and other leaders from ZOE work directly with a “family group” of orphans to train and equip them over the course of three years to being a self-sustaining community. During our podcast this week, our mission Director, Teresa Sherwood [also on this trip] talked at great length about our partnership with ZOE and the Giving Hope Program.
Today, as this team begins the long journey to Rwanda, I want to encourage you to do three things.
1. If you have not already, make plans to listen to this week’s podcast. [I've posted the audio at the bottom of this post. Just hit play!] Learn more about ZOE and how our church is working with this ministry to bring hope to so many orphans in Africa.
2. Pray for our team. Particularly, I want to encourage you to pray for safe travel for them. It’s a long and arduous journey. Also, pray that God will bless these individuals who serve as our representatives on this trip. Pray that God continues to lead us in our ongoing relationship with ZOE.
3. Check out www.carrythelight2010.org. In September, our church as well as other church communities throughout the metroplex will be having two concerts at Bass Hall to benefit ZOE ministry. It is our hope to raise $100,000 which will be the our first step in our three year commitment to raise $250,000 for ZOE. This is an amazing dream that we believe that God has given to our church. Consider being a part of this new adventure by either helping to sponsor this event or just plan on attending.
Click play to listen to this week’s podcast.
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Category: Faith & Culture, Leadership
Speedlinking | June 30th, 2010
It’s been a long time since I shared a post like this. This is nothing more than a few links that I found interesting in the last few months that I wanted to share.
If you could choose… Mark Beeson, Senior Pastor at Granger Community Church in Indiana asks the question, “If you could put your kids with anyone, who would you put them with?” A great post on the importance of finding great mentors for your kids.
Facebook fueling divorce? An article from a UK paper citing Facebook as being cited in 1 out of every 5 divorce filings.
Do you have the right to be heard? I love reading Seth Godin. This article is about earning the right to be heard.
On avoiding writing A great quote from P.J. Rourke that Michael Hyatt posted on his blog on the process of “avoiding writing.” If you are a writer who works with a deadline, I think you will appreciate this.
Workplace chaplains An article from the Wall Street Journal about the increasing use of Workplace chaplains. Had some interesting parallels with our recent series, “Making Mondays Matter.”
Category: Faith & Culture, Resources
Krystal’s heart for Uganda
Last Friday, as a part of our my Friday Rock Star series, I introduced you to Krystal Rodgers who serves as my assistant. If you missed it, check out what I think qualifies her as Rock Star on our staff! Today, I want to share with you something that is coming up for her this summer that is really exciting.
As I shared on Friday, Krystal worked with an organization called Invisible Children for some time before coming to work for us in Mansfield. If you have never heard of Invisible Children, here is some information about their mission. You can find more on their website.
We are story tellers. We make documentaries about war-affected children in east Africa and tour them around the world. We use the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running war in Africa. Our model has proven effective, and hundreds of thousands of people have been called to action through our films and the volunteers that tour them…But our work extends far beyond storytelling. With the support we receive from our tours and young supporters, we are able to implement cutting edge programs on the ground in Uganda.
This summer Krystal has been given the opportunity to participate in a trip to Uganda with Invisible Children to get a first hand look at fruits of her labor while working at IC. To help finance that trip, she will be selling T-shirts and I want to encourage every reader her to consider purchasing one of these for $20. Here’s a picture of the shirts.
I’ve asked Krystal to share with you more of her story which you will find at the end of this post. I hope you will take a moment to read that. More than that though, I hope you will support her. If the content I’ve shared on this blog has been a blessing to you, please consider this as an opportunity to express your thanks to someone who supports me in tremendous ways each and every day.
I would be so honored by your gift to her.
If you would like to order a shirt or support her with a gift, please let me know!
Here’s a bit more of Krystal’s story. Thanks for considering how you can help her continue this journey!
My stint with Invisible Children began in the fall of 2008 and although my internships were technically over almost a year ago in May 2009, I’ve continued to fight the good fight with my friends at Invisible Children and in Northern Uganda.
In the Fall of ’08, the beginning of my journey, I decided to live in a van for 3 months as a Roadie with three strangers that quickly became my family. In the Spring of ’09 I was one of 12 Regional Assistants who planned a 100 city international event called The Rescue where thousands of people, young and old, raised their voices so that those who are voiceless might be heard. I rescue rode from Dallas, TX to Little Rock, AR onto Huntington West Virginia and later ended up being “rescued” by Oprah in Chicago, the 100th city, on the 7th day.
Last summer I drove with a few friends to our nation’s capitol and was a part of the largest lobbying event for an African issue ever. Since then I have continued to lobby representatives in Texas, and helped convince Senator Coburn from Oklahoma, also known as Dr. No, to say Yes and release his hold on the LRA disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act which has since been passed through the Senate and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is well on it’s way to the President’s desk.
All of these things have been a huge part of my journey and each, a step towards bringing Peace to Northern Uganda and the surrounding areas of Eastern Africa. I continue to be a part of this revolution to do my part in fighting apathy with activism and with high hopes/big intentions of spreading the news about Uganda’s Invisible Children to people who still have never heard about this war that has been waging onward for the last 24 years.
I’m raising money to go to Uganda because I’ve yet to step foot on the soil of the place that my heart has latched onto and refuses to let go of. I have dedicated myself to helping end Africa’s longest running war and I now have the chance to travel to Uganda, to see the impact that Invisible Children and myself have had first-hand.
I invite you to take the next step of my journey with me whether it is through prayer, donating what you can, or buying a rad t-shirt.
Category: Faith & Culture, Leadership
Lost Fans… Watch This!
I’ve shared Chris’ recap videos before. I think this one is particularly good.
Category: Faith & Culture
Taking the next step
The blog this week has featured three posts from Bryan Atkinson, a friend of mine who is a Christian counselor here in Mansfield. If you have not had the chance to read these three posts, I really want to encourage you to go back and read Bryan’s thoughts on the topic of addiction. Here they are.
I want to first say a big word of thanks to Bryan for sharing his thoughts here on the blog. I truly believe that for someone they might be the first step towards getting the help they need.
And that’s what I want to briefly talk about in today’s post. For someone who might personally be wrestling with an addiction, whether it be to drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other destructive behavior, what’s the next step?
Let me suggest four possible steps.
1. Find a friend!
One of the most significant convictions of our lives is the fact that none of us are able to “save” ourselves. I think one of the first steps is simply having the courage to say to yourself, “I’m going to need some help. Who would be willing to help me?” There may not be a name that immediately comes to mind, but there is always someone willing to help. If nothing else, talk to your pastor, but do not making the mistake of thinking you can fix this by your own will. Find a friend!
2. Share the secret!
There is a reason that the Bible says to “confess your sins to another,” and it is not to satisfy someone else’s curiosity. Confession is a powerful act because it reduces the power that the secret holds in our lives. The longer we allow our secret behaviors and struggles to remain hidden in our lives, the more isolated we will become from the very people God may be preparing to help participate in our healing. When the secret is shared, it’s power is compromised, and Gods’ grace is invited into the broken places of our lives.
3. Invest in the change you seek!
Once you have found a friend and shared the secret, it’s time to start investing in the change you want to bring in your life. This stage may look very different for different people. It might be taking time to learn more about your own addiction. For instance, the book Every Man’s Battle is a great resource for men struggling with a sex addiction. For others the next step is calling a counselor like Bryan to set up an appointment and to begin talking through the issues you are facing in your life. But here is the important point. Once the secret is out, it is imperative that you begin intentionally working towards the change you want to see in your life. This is the point where you get angry at the addiction that has stolen away a part of your life and you commit to making whatever sacrifices are necessary to beating that thing into the ground!
[As a side note, one of the pieces of feedback I hear a lot is, "we don't have the money for counseling." I know many families do have very real struggles with money, but I often think to myself when I hear those words... "If my child was sick and there was medicine available that could heal that child, would anything stand in my way?" I don't mean to sound trite here. If money is a significant burden, financial assistance for counseling is available through our church mission center.]
4. Build your support team!
For most, building your support team will involve both recruiting and excluding. In order for any team to function, you have to get the right people on the team and in some cases, you have to get the wrong people off the team. This is a super tough call, but for healing to happen, sometimes there are influences in your life that you just have to cut off. When it comes to positive influences on your life and future, I’m not sure you can have enough. Continue to build your team!
Category: Faith & Culture
An addiction or an excuse? Pt. III
The following is a guest post written by Bryan Atkinson, a friend of mine who is Christian Counselor. Bryan offices out of Community of Hope UMC in Mansfield. You can contact him at bryan@communityofhope.com or 817-228-8636.
In the previous two posts, we’ve examined the dynamics of addiction and our culture’s insistence on minimizing sexual addiction. I’d like to spend some time examining specifically what a person can do when they find themselves mired in this addiction.
The two main elements in any recovery are accountability and relationship. It’s imperative that anyone going through addiction have a support system in place to lean on during times of temptation or failure. Most addicts will mess up, slip, or act out. They will ignore their boundaries and fall back into their addiction. A support system of family and friends needs to be in place, one that will be willing to help pick them up. This support system needs to be educated about the specific addiction. Too often, the family can be full of enablers (those that actually set the addict up for failure). The family and friends need to read up on the addiction and perhaps attend a support group meeting themselves.
The most important element of accountability is the accountability partner (or partners). In the case of sexual addiction, the addict must find one or more people who have struggled with THIS addiction. Many guys I’ve worked with over the years have had an accountability group in place before they came in for counseling. However, most of these groups have consisted of guys with all kinds of issues and problems and usually none of them contain another member struggling with sexual addiction. The problem with this lies in the follow-up. One guy may say he hasn’t had his quiet time this week. The next guy may say he’s looked at pornography on the internet 14 times in the last week and a half. What comes next? Does his accountability partner console him? Lift him up? Blow him up and criticize him for not calling him sooner? Should he tell his wife? Someone who has never walked in his shoes has no idea what to do next. Regular accountability with a group of men also struggling with sexual addiction is extremely difficult to find and maintain, and it’s also worth its weight in gold.
The group will initially start off meeting once a week. After several months, they may shift to every other week, monthly, etc. At some point, they should transition to long term accountability. They will check in with each other every six months or so. They should have a checklist of sexually addictive behaviors. As long has no one has participated in any of these behaviors, then they will maintain their semi-annual schedule. However, they all realize that they will pick up their weekly meetings if or when their any of their accountability partners has a slip.
The second element of addiction recovery is relationship (or intimacy). We were all created for relationship. God’s nature, as exemplified in the Trinity, displays that even God the Father desires relationship and closeness with others. We were created in God’s image. We were created for intimate relationships with others. It has been my experience that there is an epidemic of men in our culture who don’t know how to have close relationships with other men (or even their wives for that matter). Stereotypically, men have several close friends when they are in high school. They go to college and bond with other guys in their dorm. Eventually they get married and have a couple of kids and one day look around and have NO significant relationships with men. Their ‘best’ male friends are usually a couple of guys that they talk to once or twice a year. This is called isolation. Sure they may be surrounded by co-workers and acquaintances every day. But they live a life void of deepintimate relationships. We were created to have these deep intimate relationships and their absence sends us somewhere, anywhere to fill that void. These leads us to addictions. Addictions numb that feeling of loneliness. It creates a false intimacy that is cheap and fake. It always leaves us wanting more.
An addict must learn to create deep, intimate relationships. This can become a life-long process, but it’s also extremely rewarding. Soon, instead of seeking out isolation in order to act out, addicts are seeking out opportunities to explore deeper relationships and connect with others in ways they have never been able to before. Their relationships become deeper. Their marriages become healthier. They become more emotionally healthy.
This process is a long and complicated process. Very few can complete it alone. Fortunately there are a great number of resources available. As sexual addiction comes out from under the stigma that it has been under for so long in the church, there can soon be healing. The church can be a place of restoration and recovery. We can expose the secrets and the lies and instead become a beacon of emotional health to create healthy and whole followers of Christ.
Category: Faith & Culture, Guest Posts
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